Tigers sign Hunter!

*I posted this in the giant offseason thread*
Even if Torii hit's at the low end of everyones guess (around .270) it's still a great pickup, just like ATH said with a clubhouse leader. It should really solidify the top of the lineup now too, which we never saw during this season.

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"And that is part of the larger pattern of the appeal of a new online collectivism that is nothing less than a resurgence of the idea that the collective is all-wise, that it is desirable to have influence concentrated in a bottleneck that can channel the collective with the most verity and force."

I have reservations about Hunter's age, but he should be a substantial upgrade regardless. I'm not doing cartwheels over Hunter, but I am very happy about not seeing at bats wasted on the likes of Berry, Boesch.

For only 2 years, with the defense he provides, even if he OPS's .750, I'm very happy with this deal. No big $ tied up for when Miggy or JV is a FA (like Hamilton would) and gives time for Garcia and Castellanos to not be rushed (assuming they aren't traded in the next year) $13 mil per is more than I would like to pay, but I don't see this contract preventing us from making any moves we would otherwise make.

I have reservations about Hunter's age, but he should be a substantial upgrade regardless. I'm not doing cartwheels over Hunter, but I am very happy about not seeing at bats wasted on the likes of Berry, Boesch.

Very happy with this move. I didn't really see any corner OF candidate out there didn't have some significant downside.

With Hunter, we get a solid offensive player who should very capably fill that #2 spot in the lineup. He's still a smart baserunner and a strong defensive player. A pretty massive upgrade over Boesch/Berry/Avi.

The deal seems reasonable in years and in dollars.

Plus...

The Tigers get to keep their #1 draft pick in 2013, for the first time since 2009 and Jacob Turner.

This should also prevent them from trading the farm for Justin Upton, which I was never a big fan of. Not only do we get to keep Castellanos and Avi but they should now be able to develop in the minors at their own pace.

A week before Thanksgiving and the biggest offseason need is already taken care of.

He's coming off one of his better seasons so it wasn't going to come cheap. He should put up an OPS around 780-800, plays pretty good defense and brings things to the clubhouse and team that can't be measured with statistics. Signing him to a 2 year deal and paying little more per is better than strapping yourself to 4-5 years of someone like Swisher or BJ Upton imo.

He's coming off one of his better seasons so it wasn't going to come cheap. He should put up an OPS around 780-800, plays pretty good defense and brings things to the clubhouse and team that can't be measured with statistics. Signing him to a 2 year deal and paying little more per is better than strapping yourself to 4-5 years of someone like Swisher or BJ Upton imo.

The only FA OF I thought may fit as well as Hunter is Cabrera for likely 1 yr and he would definitely be a gamble and bring the opposite of what Hunter does in the clubhouse. I definitely didn't want Swisher for 3-5 years.

Career .800 OPS that plays REALLY good defense, and is historically known as a GREAT club house guy. 13 mil a year is a STEAL IMO.

"And that is part of the larger pattern of the appeal of a new online collectivism that is nothing less than a resurgence of the idea that the collective is all-wise, that it is desirable to have influence concentrated in a bottleneck that can channel the collective with the most verity and force."

That sure solidifies the lineup pretty well. Helps the defense too. Hopefully this means they are unconditionally dunzo with giving Boesch playing time. Berry can pinch run and fill in. Works out well.

It does seem slightly high on dollars but they're only under it for two years, and it's not much of an overpay.

"I can't say I'm pleased to see you and warn you I may have to do something about it." Knut Hamsun

2/26 (the Beltran Deal) is what Hunter was looking for, and I'm guessing the Tigers were not the only team willing to give that to him. At the very least, I'm guessing other teams were willing to come very close.

Hunter wanted to play for a team with a legit chance at the World Series and he chose the Tigers. This would seem inconceivable only a few years ago when we had to blow everyone out of the water to bring in Pudge and Magglio.

Why are people worried about the money? Clearly it isn't an object for Illitch, so why should we be worried? I think he's more than proved over the last handful of years that he will pay whatever it takes to get the guys he wants.

Why are people worried about the money? Clearly it isn't an object for Illitch, so why should we be worried? I think he's more than proved over the last handful of years that he will pay whatever it takes to get the guys he wants.

I do think $13M is a bit high, but from what I hear Hunter had other options (Atlanta wanted him pretty badly too and I heard Texas was also interested) so a bit of an overpay for 2 years and the Tigers don't have to give up any prospects is fine in my book...

“Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.” -Will Rogers